Thursday’s playoff roundup: North Andover boys’ volleyball tops Weymouth in coach Bill McEachern’s finale

Senior Ryan Quinn struck 12 kills and eight digs, with junior Malik Hassan providing 11 kills and six digs, as the 16-seeded North Andover boys’ volleyball team swept No. 17 Weymouth, 3-0, in a Division 1 first-round match Thursday, the program’s first tournament victory since 2023, and fifth overall.

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It was the final match for Weymouth coach Bill McEachern, at the helm of both the boys’ soccer and volleyball programs for 19 seasons.

Though the host Scarlet Knights (15-6) breezed through the first set 25-8, Weymouth (11-8) kept up the fight with rallies in the second and third sets before NA prevailed, 25-23, 26-24.

“I think just being happy,” said Quinn, on how the Scarlet Knights kept their composure. “Trying to be a team where we can push past our mistakes, push past whatever challenge is being faced, whether we’re down a few points, whether we’re up a few points, not to get too confident and just be a team that’s always smiling.”

NA stayed its course strategically after Weymouth’s resistance, which coach Mike Scammon attributed to its first three wins coming via five-setters. Rudra Shukla (30 assists, 8 digs) found the right guys in the right moments.

“They’re used to adversity. They’re used to intensity. They’re used to tough situations,” Scammon said. “They’ve done a really good job at that all season long. We work on that. We do a lot of pressure drills and pressure sixes to work on those situations.

“They executed tonight.”

McEachern, who was inducted into the Eastern Mass. Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame in 2025, said it was a pleasure to coach volleyball.

“It was an honor and something that I’m proud of,” he said. “I mostly just appreciate the efforts of the boys over the years, and especially this year. They were great.”

Division 1

Arlington 3, Westford 1 — Middles Noah Jepson (10 kills, 6 blocks) and Brady Cheevers (6 kills, 5 blocks) were electric for the No. 18 Spy Ponders (14-7) in a first round road victory over No. 15 Westford (11-7). Matt Lee served aggressively and mashed seven kills, and libero Pablo Diaz-Terra was key to the serve-receive and getting digs.

“The team maintained high energy throughout the game,” said coach Elizabeth Morris. “We utilized our hitters well and focused on mixing up our hits and playing smart. Solid team effort from everyone on and off the court.”

Methuen 3, Nipmuc 0 — Andrew Cox (23 kills), Jayden Cox (39 assists, 5 kills), and Cole Tourkantonis (13 kills) powered the No. 11 Rangers (15-7) to a first-round victory over No. 22 Nipmuc. Elijah Jean added five kills and Daniel Bui had 10 digs.

Newton North 3, Braintree 1 — Libero Jake Svatstrom continued his elite play that helped the No. 12 Tigers (7-11) finish the season strong, getting the win over Bay State rival No. 21 Braintree. Peter Reale led the team in kills. “He couldn’t be stopped,” Newton North coach Nile Fox said of Reale. “He was a really big help for us to pull it off.”

North Quincy 3, Doherty 0 — Senior captain Sancho Wu mashed nine kills for the No. 28 Raiders (17-4) in a preliminary-round victory over 37th-seeded Doherty. Arthur Zheng led the team in serve-receive. “Our senior setter Brian Zheng led us really well, as far as energy and confidence,” said coach Megan Johnston. “We generally run a 6-2 but I switched it up and he stayed in the game and did a really good job just leading our offense.”

Somerville 3, BC High 2 — Eli Tourlentes (19 kills), Julien Chetty (7 kills, 8 digs), and Ozzy Marks (36 assists, 5 kills, 100 percent serving) powered the No. 30 Highlanders (14-7) to a preliminary-round victory over No. 35 BC High. “I told the boys just to calm down, we’re good, we’ve been here before. We’ve had game fives before this year,” said Somerville coach Steve Walker. “I thought the fan support was great. We had a bunch of members of the girls’ team in the fall show up and support.”

St. John’s (Shrewsbury) 3, Malden 0 — Junior outside hitter August McGonagle racked up 18 kills, 2 blocks, and 5 digs to power the No. 29 Pioneers (9-11) to the preliminary-round win over No. 36 Malden, 25-19, 25-20, 25-19. Senior Lucas Foster (4 kills, 2 blocks), sophomore Lucas Foster (29 assists, 5 digs), and junior Alex Krolewski (6 kills, 5 digs) delivered stellar play.

West Springfield 3, Minnechaug 0 — Daniel Shandrin (20 kills, 19 digs), Nathan Galeas (12 kills, 13 digs, 4.5 blocks), and Prasanta Bhandari (37 assists, 10 digs, 3 aces, 1.5 blocks) rallied the No. 13 Terriers (13-7) to a first-round win over No. 20 Minnechaug, which took West Side to five sets twice in the regular season.

Woburn 3, Hopkinton 2 — Trey Skumin smashed 15 kills and two blocks, and Cam Terilli cranked 10 kills for the No. 31 Tanners (13-8) in a preliminary round five-set win (25-21, 14-25, 22-25, 25-22, 15-11) over No. 34 Hopkinton.

Division 2

Dracut 3, Bellingham 1 — Sean Kabongo (18 kills), Ryan Kusa (15 kills, 9 digs, 3 aces), Jacob Louk (19 digs), and Alex Sophuok (36 assists, 2 blocks) cooked up a road first-round victory for the No. 19 Middies (10-9) over No. 14 Bellingham.

Greater Lawrence 3, Argosy Collegiate 0 — From the service line, Anthony Rubim finished with 25 service points, 4 aces, and 30 assists as the 22nd-seeded Reggies (15-7) swept No. 43 Argosy (6-6) in the preliminary round. Janiel Vizcaino had 10 kills and three blocks and Julius Melendez came up with 27 digs. Greater Lawrence visits No. 11 O’Bryant (11-8) for a first-round matchup.

Wakefield 3, Bay Path 1 —Isaac Da Luz (12 kills, 10 digs), Aden Stevenson (34 assists, 13 digs, 3 kills, 2 blocks) and Luciano Rossetti (10 kills, 9 digs) powered the offense for the No. 31 Warriors (6-15) in a preliminary-round win over No. 34 Bay Path. Brady Breda, Charlie Sloss, and Kian Connors all produced at least five blocks.

Division 1

Malden 3, Durfee 2 — TJ Lynch made a remarkable diving catch in right-center field with two on and two outs in the last of the seventh to secure a preliminary-round victory for the 37th-seeded Golden Tornadoes (15-6) over the 28th-seeded Hilltoppers (10-11) in Fall River. Malden will face No. 5 Catholic Memorial in the next round.

Methuen 4, Belmont 0 — Alexander Santiago set the tone with a leadoff homer, finishing 3 for 3 at the plate, and Julius Soto twirled a two-hitter with no walks and three strikeouts for the 33rd-seeded Rangers (11-10) in a preliminary round blanking of the 32nd-seeded Marauders (10-11). Methuen advances to face top-seeded BC High.

North Andover 8, Medford 1 — Brayden Salach, Trey Martin, Seth Heacock, and Harrison Goodrow each logged two hits for the 27th-seeded Scarlet Knights (13-10) in a preliminary-round victory over the 38th-seeded Mustangs (10-11). North Andover advances to visit No. 6 Xaverian in the second round Monday.

North Quincy 3, Bridgewater-Raynham 0 — Just enough hitting from the 35th-seeded Red Raiders (11-10) ensured Nick Ambroult’s masterpiece wouldn’t go to waste in a preliminary round victory over the 30th-seeded Trojans (12-9). Ambroult fired a six-hit shutout for NQ, walking only two batters and fanning six, keeping B-R off-balance all afternoon long with his signature slider when he fell behind in a count.

“He was dominant,” North Quincy coach Matt Edgerly said. “They didn’t hit him well all game and defensively we made every play.”

Catcher Tim Toland had two hits, including a leadoff single in the fourth inning to ignite a two-run frame, which proved to be all the offense the Red Raiders would need. John Barron had an RBI double later in the inning and Emmitt Allen brought home another run in the fifth after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

“It was paper cuts, balls found spots, we just strung together a few innings that way,” Edgerly said. North Quincy advances to face No. 3 Springfield Central (15-4) in the second round.

Division 2

Oliver Ames 6, Worcester South 1 — Jack Devonshire followed up a no-hitter in his final regular-season start with another complete-game effort, giving up one run on one hit with two walks and seven punchouts for the 30th-seeded Tigers (11-10) in a preliminary round win over the 35th-seeded Colonels (10-9) at Frothingham Park. Jayden Levine (2 for 4, double, triple, 3 RBIs) powered the offense for OA, which advances to face No. 3 Reading.

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Division 5

Millis 3, Gateway 2 — Brody Barrett was stellar on the mound, racking up 16 strikeouts without issuing a walk and scattering four hits for the 31st-seeded Mohawks (2-17) in a preliminary-round victory over the 34th-seeded Gators (13-2). Declan Jewett and Braden Ingoldsby clocked two hits each for Millis, which advances to face No. 2 Georgetown.

Wareham 11, Boston Collegiate 2 — Keenan Peterson fired six solid frames to earn the victory for the 27th-seeded Vikings (12-8) in a preliminary round triumph over No. 38 Boston Collegiate (7-8). Wareham draws No. 6 Maynard next.

Division 1

Weymouth 14, Algonquin 1 — Maddie Smith stacked 11 strikeouts as the No. 30 Wildcats (8-11) cruised to a five-inning preliminary-round triumph over No. 35 Algonquin (10-9). Bella Pires and Jill Ondrick both crushed homers in the win.

Division 3

Latin Academy 3, Oakmont 0 — Freshman righthander Camryn Collier fired a five-hit shutout, striking out 10 and walking three as the No. 35 Dragons (16-6) defeated No. 30 Oakmont (10-8). Sophomore Liliana Telesford (1 for 3) fueled the offense with a pair of RBIs, Claire Hauck chipped in an RBI single, and Julia Dietzel delivered two hits.

Division 4

Millis 16, Southwick 4 — Molly Rand (3 hits) homered and drove in four runs as the No. 28 Mohawks (5-14) rolled past No. 37 Southwick (12-9) in the preliminary round. Mia Vasta tossed a three-hitter, and Keira Davis added four hits and three RBIs.

Triton 7, Old Colony 2 — Sarah Zahornasky scattered two hits and dealt eight strikeouts to lead the No. 32 Vikings (8-13) past No. 33 Old Colony (12-8) in a preliminary-round matchup. Audrina Owens and Addie Ewell helped pace the Triton offense.

Division 5

Hull 20, Kennedy Academy 5 — Khloe Gravina spun five hitless innings and sat down 10 batters as the No. 29 Pirates (6-15) won a preliminary round matchup against No. 36 Kennedy Academy (9-4). Rachel Timmins and Kenzie Neil each rapped four hits and had three RBIs.

Mahar 14, Lee 7 — Jenna Nolette went 3 for 5 with a trio of singles and three RBIs for the No. 34 Senators (10-9) to storm to a preliminary-round win over No. 31 Lee (3-16). Lilah Paluk (4 for 5, 3 runs, 2 RBIs) and Lexi Ares (single, 2 runs) fueled the effort at the plate. Ares struck out 14 and allowed just three hits.

Rockport 16, Neighborhood Charter/Codman 0 — Calleigh Trickett spun a five-inning no-hitter, striking out five for the No. 26 Vikings (15-4) in a dominant preliminary-round triumph over No. 39 Neighborhood Charter (9-9). Gretel Marshall crushed a two-run homer.

Division 1

Concord-Carlisle 5, Hopkinton 0 — For years, the Patriots have had their way in the early stages of the tournament, and today was no exception. Junior Pedro Nachbin earned a 6-1, 6-3 victory at first singles for the No. 9 Patriots (8-5), who celebrated a sweep over No. 24 Hopkinton (14-4).

“Pedro has been mixing in more serve-and-volley because he’s got a huge serve,” said head coach Marcus Lewis. “He mixed it up really well today, and was very dominant.”

Senior Charlie Derkazarian notched a 6-1, 6-1 win at second singles, and seniors Brooks Miller and Mack Rottenberg faced the toughest test of the match at first doubles, but used their years of partnership to click into a higher gear in the second set of a 6-4, 6-2 win.

“Mack is like the cheerleader, and Brooks is very serious,” said Lewis. “But they are both on the same page after every point. They high-five, and pump each other up, so the chemistry is excellent.”

Jack McClelland rolled, 6-2, 6-0, at third singles, and Jack Garofalo and Austin Fischl triumped 6-0, 6-3 at second singles for the Patriots, who will face No. 8 Winchester on the road in the second round.

Wellesley 4, North Andover 1 — Arthas Goutham (6-2, 6-1) and Ellias Lukic (6-2, 6-0) notched victories for the No. 10 Raiders (14-5) at first and third singles, respectively, against No. 23 North Andover (11-4) in first-round action. Deniz Eryilmaz/Deren Bayulgen (6-0, 6-1) triumphed at first doubles, and Abhay Kapoor/Arjun Chopra (6-2, 6-0) earned a second doubles win.

Westford 5, Franklin 0 — Rishabh Anoop claimed a double bagel win at first singles to spearhead a first-round victory for the No. 2 Ghosts (16-0) against No. 34 Franklin (10-10). Preet Mood (6-1, 6-0 at second singles) and Shrey Chawla (6-0, 6-3 at third singles) continued their strong form, Nikhil Ponnusamy/Sam Ren (6-2, 6-2) prevailed at first doubles, and Josh Madsen/Aarush Vadlamani (6-3, 6-4) triumphed at second doubles.

Division 2

Grafton 3, Melrose 2 — Max Schmitt’s 7-5, 6-4 win at second singles clinched a first-round upset victory for the No. 21 Gators (9-8) against No. 12 Melrose (11-10). Hanuram Manikandan earned a 6-2, 6-1 win at third singles, and Zayan Sharif/Om Kadiyam triumphed, 6-3, 6-0, at first doubles.

Division 3

Latin Academy 4, Monomoy 1 — Mayfre Moreta (6-3, 6-2) and Nat Henderson (6-0, 6-0) led the No. 11 Dragons (12-5) to a first-round victory over No. 22 Monomoy (11-8) at second and third singles, respectively. Jackson Stotts/Gio Waterman (6-4, 6-3) had their way at first doubles, and Max Perune/Victor Lochicotto (6-4, 6-1) rolled at second doubles.

Pentucket 3, Foxborough 2 — Cosmo Lund and Maddox Heller earned singles victories to help the No. 10 Panthers (9-6) edge past No. 23 Foxborough (8-10) in first-round action. Rhyas Dewar and Tyler Trong were victorious in doubles play.

Scituate 4, Norwell 1 — Brothers Shea and Ryan Tinkham cruised at first doubles, 6-0, 6-0, as the sixth-seeded Sailors (15-3) ousted No. 38 Norwell (7-7) in a first-round match. Luke Hanley won at second singles, 6-2, 6-0, Donovan Carven won at No. 1, 6-2, 6-1, and Jack Gill took third, 6-2, 6-4.

Division 4 State

Sturgis East/West 3, Frontier 2 — George Foster was the hero for the No. 12 Navigators (10-5) in their first-round victory against No. 21 Frontier (7-10), winning his second singles match 5-7, 6-4, 6-3. Ray Zhang cruised to a 6-0, 6-1 victory at first singles, and Baylor Bowen/Nicholas Cormier secured a 6-2, 6-0 win at second doubles.

Division 1

Newton South 5, Cambridge 0 — Olivia Whitaker (first singles), Manel Guermazi (second singles), and Nika Presayzen (third singles) each took 6-0, 6-0 wins for the top-seeded Lions (14-1) in a first-round sweep of No. 32 Cambridge (2-15).

Division 3

Bishop Fenwick 5, Dighton-Rehoboth 0 — Caroline O’Hare (6-0, 6-0), Kit Wichroski (6-2, 6-2), and Callie Reed (6-3, 6-3) dominated singles for the No. 11 Crusaders (11-5) en route to a first-round sweep of No. 22 Dighton-Rehoboth (10-5). Jackie Dormer and Maggie Wichrowski triumphed 6-2, 6-0 at first doubles, and Kylie Murphy/Tiffany Dorsey took a 6-1, 6-0 second doubles victory.

Lynnfield 5, Quabbin 0 — Olivia Asaad cruised through third singles, 6-0, 6-0, and Lily Alves and Kathleen Brown took 6-0, 6-1 wins at first and second singles to power the No. 3 Pioneers (17-2) to a first-round victory over No. 30 Quabbin (14-2). Christine Choi/Vicky McCrann won at first doubles, 6-1, 6-2, and Emma Wagon/Charlotte Beccia triumphed 6-2, 6-0 at No. 2.

Martha’s Vineyard 5, Auburn 0 — Laina Dubin (first singles) and Charlotte Marshard (second singles) both rolled 6-0, 6-0 in a first-round victory for the No. 1 Vineyarders (17-0) against No. 32 Auburn (14-4). Josie Johns (third singles) also emerged in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, Leah Thomson/Zoe Treitman (first doubles) won 6-0, 6-2, and Tessa Schultz/Bella Schilling (second doubles) cruised 6-0, 6-0.

Watertown 4, Dedham 1 — Freshmen Sara Yasin and Eva Khalarian picked up 6-0, 6-0 wins at first and second singles, respectively, to power the No. 10 Raiders (12-8) past No. 23 Dedham (8-10) in a first-round triumph. Senior Calista Tansalarik and sophomore Julie Pipitone won 6-1, 6-2 at first doubles, and juniors Addi Powazinik and Lilly Griffith took a 6-0, 6-3 victory at second doubles.

Division 4

Sturgis East 4, Frontier 1 — Khanh Le, Olivia Murphy, and Chanda Plang notched singles wins for the No. 13 Storm (9-4) as they earned a first-round victory over No. 20 Frontier (15-4). Amelie Rudy and Marissa Teixeira were victorius in first doubles.

Globe correspondents Webb Constable, Cameron Pellegrino, Siera Qosaj, Jake Levin, and Joe Dimino contributed.

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